UPDATE: State Police Detectives Investigate Suspicious Death in Berlin

{Connecticut State Police Patch}

Dr. Dora B. SchriroCommissioner

Colonel Alaric J. FoxDeputy CommissionerDivision of State Police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3, 2017

UPDATE:
State Police Detectives Investigate Suspicious Death in Berlin

Berlin, CT.
(July 2, 2017):Connecticut State Police
detectives assigned to Central District Major Crime are investigating a
suspicious death reported in Berlin, CT.

On July 2, 2017
at approximately 2:30 a.m., Berlin Police Officers responded to the Days Inn
after receiving reports of suspicious activity.Upon officer arrival, they located the deceased male victim.

On July 2, 2017,
at approximately 3:30 a.m., at the request of the Berlin Police Department,
Central District Major Crime (CDMC) detectives responded to the Days Inn Motel
located at 2387 Berlin Tpke in Berlin to assist with a suspicious death
investigation.At the request of the
State’s Attorney's Office, CDMC detectives assumed the investigation.

A Connecticut State Police K9 team and the New
Britain Police Department Tactical Team are also assisting with the
investigation.The state police K9 team
and New Britain PD Tactical Team conducted a search of the motel and the immediate
area in an attempt to locate any additional victims.No other victims were located. There is no
perceived threat to the public or community.

The Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will conduct a post-mortem examination to
determine cause and manner of death.The
identity of the male victim is being withheld pending notification of next of
kin.

Anyone who
thinks they may have any information is asked to call 860-685-8190 or text
TIP711 with any information to 274637. All calls/tips will remain confidential.

UPDATE:

On July 3, 2017 the OCME ruled
the cause and manner of death of the victim, Pratikkumar Jagani (age 25, male)
of Berlin, CT. as homicide by gun shot.

Through the course of the
investigation CDMC detectives developed a suspect.As a result of their investigation detectives
applied for, and were granted, an arrest warrant for Rahheem K. McDonald (dob 10/28/1979)
of Waterbury, CT, charging him with Murder, Criminal Possession of a Firearm,
Possession of a Firearm without a Permit, and Possession of a High Capacity
Magazine.Bond has been set at $2,000,000.00.
McDonald is currently in custody and being held on unrelated charges in another
jurisdiction.

The arrest of McDonald on
charges related to this homicide investigation is pending.